Settlers begin rebuilding Maoz Ester

Six hours after security forces evacuate West Bank outpost, youths return vowing to make it larger

Efrat Weiss|Published: 05.21.09 , 17:16

Just six hours after it was evacuated
by security forces, the West Bank outpost of Maoz Ester was being rebuilt Thursday by dozens of settlers who returned to the site of their deconstructed homes.

MK Michael Ben Ari (National Union) also arrived at the scene and nailed a mezuzah to the wooden structure being raised by the settlers, explaining: "It's my duty as a legislator".

Settlers work to rebuild structures (Photo: Naomi Disin)

Dozens of youths working to rebuild the outpost said they would make sure Maoz Ester was expanded even further than it had been originally.

Police and Civil Administration forces evacuated the tiny outpost in the Binyamin region earlier Thursday, in a move which has not been seen for some time.

Seven tin huts and several youths residing in the area were removed from the Maoz Ester outpost. No violent incidents were recorded. A building was recently demolished in the area, leading to violent acts on the part of local residents.